Chapter 53: Late-Night Lake Cruise (3)

Prince Han, Zhu Gaoxu, felt as though a thunderbolt had suddenly exploded inside his head.

He rubbed his eyes in sheer terror, widened them, and stared fixedly at the lake's surface for a long time before swallowing hard to regain his composure.

Turning his head gently, not daring to look back again, the Prince of Han kept his panic-stricken, disbelieving gaze locked entirely on the old Daoist priest, Zhang Zhengheng, who sat right before him.

The old Daoist's brows were similarly knitted together in an expression of utter disbelief.

Perhaps sensing the Prince's gaze, the old Daoist turned his head and gestured forward with the horsetail whisk in his hand, signaling the Prince to look at Little Xizi, who was positioned at the very front.

Only then did Prince Han notice that Little Xizi was actually kneeling directly on the soft cushion! He hadn't even been sitting down to begin with!

Seeing this, Prince Han wanted to shift his body and change his posture—not because he wanted to kneel as well, of course, but simply because his backside had grown somewhat numb from sitting for so long, and he wished to adjust his position!

Moreover, Little Xizi kept muttering under his breath, though his voice was so low that the Prince could not quite make it out.

However, since the old Daoist sitting in front of the Prince was a bit closer to Little Xizi, he managed to catch a few words.

"...Please forgive me, Dragon King. Your humble servant did not wet his trousers this time. Have mercy and do not hold it against me; I truly wish to feed you as well! Won't you please stop ignoring me day after day..." Hearing Little Xizi's words, the old Daoist felt as if his head were splitting open.

What on earth was going on? You want to feed the Dragon King? And the Dragon King ignores you? What in the world are you imagining?

Suddenly, the image, voice, and smile of his nominal student flashed through the old Daoist's mind—could this creature, suspected of being of dragon lineage, possibly belong to Zhanhe?

Just as Prince Han and the old Daoist Zhang Zhengheng were sitting upright, not daring to make a single movement, they suddenly felt themselves come to a bizarre halt! Hastily looking up, they realized that without them even noticing, their small procession had arrived at the shore of the island in the middle of the lake.

"Immortal Master, Your Highness, please disembark." Little Xizi was the first to react. He put away the cushion from beneath his knees, walked briskly at the very front over the red fabric, and was the first to step ashore. Then, turning back, he addressed the Prince and the old Daoist.

"Very well."

"Alright." Hearing that they had reached the shore, the old Daoist and the Prince hastily stood up.

As he rose, perhaps due to a numb leg, Prince Han stumbled and nearly fell, saved only by a timely supporting hand from the old Daoist ahead of him.

"Thank you for your trouble, Daoist Master, my foot slipped," the Prince said, his voice trembling as he instinctively supported the old Daoist in return. Only then did he notice that the old Daoist's hands were trembling too, prompting him to cast a sidelong glance of realization: *So I'm not the only one who is terrified. I actually thought you, old Daoist, were afraid of nothing.*

Supporting one another, the Prince of Han and Zhang Zhengheng stepped onto the bank and exchanged a glance, letting out a simultaneous, quiet sigh of relief.

When the two turned back to look, however, the lake behind them showed only a large expanse of red fabric drifting aimlessly with the waves, leaving no trace whatsoever of the "ferry path" they had just ridden across.

"Little Xizi, what is the meaning of this?!! Where is the Heir?" The Prince of Han sternly questioned the young eunuch before him. Now that his own safety was assured, the very first person he asked about was his heir, his future successor!

"Replying to Your Highness, there is a small pavilion a hundred paces ahead, where the Heir is waiting for you and the Immortal Master. Please follow me." Without answering the Prince's question, Little Xizi lifted his lantern and strode straight ahead to lead the way.

Watching Little Xizi turn and walk away, the Prince of Han was utterly shocked. *What is going on? I am a Prince, and you are merely a household eunuch. I ask you a question, and you dare to ignore me? Is this rebellion?!* He was on the verge of flying into a rage.

"Your Highness, let us follow and see. Zhanhe is still waiting ahead," the old Daoist once again checked the Prince's actions, taking large strides to follow after the eunuch.

"Hey, hey—wait for me!" Seeing the old Daoist walking faster and faster, the Prince glanced around at the pitch-black, silent surroundings and hurriedly caught up.

Sure enough, after walking only a short distance, a small pavilion loomed into view around a corner. The Prince's eagerness surged; he had countless questions he wanted to ask his beloved son.

"Father, Teacher, the two of you have arrived. Please, take a seat!" Zhu Zhanhe had been waiting here for some time. Lanterns were lit at all four corners of the pavilion, and a pot of fragrant tea was brewing, awaiting their arrival.

In the corners of the pavilion, Little Xizi and Wei Jiezhong stood straight on either side, attending respectfully.

"Zhanhe, what was that just now?" Unable to restrain himself any longer, the Prince of Han arrived at the pavilion and, forgoing any rest to ease his nerves, walked straight up to his son with the question.

"Father, what do you think it was?" Zhu Zhanhe replied with a smile, turning the question back on him.

"How would I know?" The Prince was burning with impatience, pressing his son with an eager look of insatiable curiosity.

"Master, what do you think it was?" Zhu Zhanhe turned his head to look at the old Daoist, who had sat down the moment he entered and was leisurely sipping tea by himself, asking with a smile. Beside him, the Prince of Han also gazed nervously at the old Daoist, desperately needing to hear the answer.

"A dragon lineage!" The old Daoist set down his teacup, locked his gaze onto his nominal disciple, and spoke in a solemn, unquestionable tone.

Yet, Zhu Zhanhe did not respond to the old Daoist's words; instead, he turned his gaze back to the Prince of Han.

"Father, before you bartered for the city defense matters some time ago, this son told you that everything has its gains and losses, its blessings and misfortunes. Your last endeavor failed, but this time, your son has brought you good fortune! I told you I would grant you righteousness and legitimate status, and today is that day, Father! Next, do not blink; please watch closely as your son bestows upon you your righteousness and legitimacy!" Gazing at the anxious Prince, Zhu Zhanhe walked slowly up to him and spoke with utmost solemnity to his father. Hearing this, the Prince opened his mouth, eager to ask something further.

However, Zhu Zhanhe gave him no chance.

Turning around once more, Zhu Zhanhe approached his teacher, the old Daoist Zhang Zhengheng.

"Teacher, your student promised that within a year, I would give you a surprise. Now, that surprise has arrived! Today is the day! Please witness for yourself just how grand your student's surprise truly is!" Looking at the Daoist teacher, who had been half-heartedly sipping his tea, Zhu Zhanhe spoke with the exact same grave expression.

Without waiting for either his father or his teacher to reply, Zhu Zhanhe walked directly to the edge of the lake beside the pavilion, where the ground stood some two zhang above the water's surface.

Seeing his son draw closer and closer to the lake, the Prince of Han grew intensely nervous, terribly afraid that his precious son might plunge into the water or be devoured by the monster they had just encountered!

That gigantic monster from moments before, which had looked to be nearly ten zhang long!

"Zhanhe!" Amidst the astonished cries of the Prince and the old Daoist, Zhu Zhanhe leaped straight down from the bank, startling the Prince so badly that he lunged forward in a desperate dash.

The old Daoist, usually sitting in composed serenity, was struck with terror as well and vaulted directly out of the pavilion. Despite being nearly eighty years old, he reached the lake's edge even faster than the Prince, yet both men still failed to catch Zhu Zhanhe as he plunged into the water!